Hovland parts ways with swing coach Joe Mayo for the second time, dealing with a fractured toe
Viktor Hovland, fresh off a challenging year, is once again carving his own path in the golfing world. As he looks ahead to the 2025 season, the Norwegian star has split with swing coach Joe Mayo, marking the second time in as many years that Hovland has parted ways with his instructor.
In an interview with Norsk Golf, Hovland confirmed the break-up with Mayo, which occurred about a month ago. “I no longer work with Mayo,” Hovland stated. “We ended that collaboration about a month ago. We disagreed a bit about the way forward, what’s best for me.” While Hovland declined to delve into specifics, his comments suggest that the split was motivated by differing philosophies on his progression in the sport.
Hovland’s relationship with Mayo had a rocky start. They first began working together in 2023, but their partnership ended after Hovland claimed the FedExCup in August of that year. The two reunited ahead of the 2024 PGA Championship, but Hovland’s dissatisfaction led to yet another break-up. Along with Mayo, Hovland also worked with coaches Grant Waite and Dana Dahlquist in 2024, and now, he continues to consult with another coach, sharing videos for feedback.
Embed from Getty Images“I feel like I’ve learned so much now and have so much expertise, that I don’t need anyone holding my hand anymore,” Hovland explained, hinting at his growing confidence in his game and his ability to self-coach moving forward.
Despite not securing a win in 2024—a first since turning professional in 2019—Hovland remains one of golf’s top players. He suffered a stress fracture in his right pinky finger, which caused him to take a break after the Tour Championship. In total, Hovland played just 17 events in 2024, six fewer than in the previous year. However, his consistency kept him within the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking, and he remains at No. 8 as the new season kicks off.
Reflecting on the year, Hovland acknowledged the challenges of dealing with physical setbacks, saying, “It steals so much energy to compete when the technical aspects are not right. The coincidences make the game merciless, and then I would rather go home and practice.” Yet, despite the struggles, Hovland came agonisingly close to claiming his first major title, a valuable learning experience. “It taught me that my game doesn’t have to be perfect,” he said.
As if the challenges weren’t enough, Hovland is now nursing a fractured right little toe. The injury occurred last week while he was staying in a hotel in Hawaii. After falling asleep with his lights on and travel clothes still on, Hovland awoke and accidentally stubbed his toe on the corner of the bed. An x-ray revealed the fracture, which will take four to six weeks to heal.
Despite the pain, Hovland has managed to practice in a limited capacity, even hitting balls barefoot to avoid straining his injured toe. “It’s not ideal,” he admitted, but he remains optimistic. “Adversity builds character, and we all need a few punches in the face every now and then.”
As the 2025 season looms, Hovland is uncertain if he will be ready to compete at The Sentry in Kapalua. He plans to make a final decision on Thursday, assessing whether he can play through the discomfort or if he will be forced to withdraw. Whatever the outcome, it’s clear that Hovland’s resilience in the face of setbacks will continue to define his career moving forward.
